Merchandise display assembly having a crossbar base assembly

ABSTRACT

A merchandise display assembly having a vertical crossbar base assembly and a display container mounted thereon for displaying products above a conventional display rack, wherein the vertical crossbar member base assembly is for mounting onto the hangrail members of the display rack. The merchandise display assembly includes a display container having a plurality of displaying compartments for displaying product merchandise in the display compartments, and a vertical crossbar base assembly having a first vertical crossbar member and a second vertical crossbar member being disposed perpendicular to each other. The first and second vertical crossbar members include first and second rack-receiving notches formed in the first and second lower sections of the first and second vertical outer surfaces respectively, of each of the first and second vertical crossbar members. The first vertical crossbar member includes a lower receiving notch being centrally positioned, and the second vertical crossbar member includes an upper receiving notch being centrally positioned. The lower receiving notch and the upper receiving notch of the first and second vertical crossbar members are disposed for an interlocking engagement with each other. The first and second rack-receiving notches of the first and second vertical crossbar members are for engaging and receiving therein the upper member of the display rack for mounting the vertical crossbar base assembly thereon; and the first and second upper surfaces of the first and second vertical crossbar members, respectively, are for receiving the display container thereon.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a merchandise display rack having a vertical crossbar base assembly and a display container thereon for displaying products, clothing, hats, gifts and the like, above a conventional display rack. More particularly, the vertical crossbar base assembly is for mounting onto hangrail members of the display rack for securely supporting thereon the display container having products therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clothing and merchandise display racks for retail stores and department stores for displaying products on hanging racks are well known in the art. Display containers for displaying other products above the hangrail of the hanging racks are problematic and suffer from several undesirable limitations. For example, such display containers have complex mounting structures and they do not place the products in a position where they can be easily and readily viewed by a consumer who is standing adjacent to the display rack. Also, many of these display containers are not capable of displaying a desired amount of products/items above the hangrail and still comply with display requirements of most mass marketing department stores. Further, many retail stores have height limits on how far products and signage supported on a display rack can extend above the floor. Common limits restrict products to fifty-four inches above the floor and signage to seventy-two inches above the floor. Accordingly, there is a need for a product display system that overcomes the above deficiencies and provides a convenient way to display products to consumers in a manner that causes consumers to be interested in purchasing the products and to facilitate product stocking.

There remains a need for a new and innovative merchandise/product display assembly that includes a display container for displaying products, clothing, hats, gifts, and toys that are mounted on a vertical crossbar base assembly and, in turn, the vertical crossbar base assembly is mounted onto hangrail members of a conventional rectangular-shaped display rack. Further, the merchandise display assembly is configured for easy assembly and to maximize product storage for displaying products above the display rack at an optimum position for viewing and access by the consumer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Merchandise display racks, rotary display stands, product display systems, display stands and merchandising bins and the like having various designs, configurations, structures and materials of construction have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Application No. 2004/0055982 to JENNINGS discloses a product display system configured for displaying products such as hats above a conventional clothing rack. The display system includes a base assembly for supporting the other system components above the rack, a plurality of product display trays supported on the base assembly for displaying the products, and a sign assembly supported on the base assembly for displaying product information and advertising indicia. The display system enables cross-merchandising at the point of sale by utilizing previously unusable space above the conventional circular rack while still complying with display requirements of most mass marketing retail stores. The base assembly is formed of wire bars that form modular truss sections and interconnect to form a sloped tray-supporting surface that extends radially beyond the perimeter of the rack to place the products supported thereon at an optimum position for viewing and access by the consumer. The display trays are uniquely configured to enable them to be arranged in a polygonal arrangement on the base assembly to maximize product storage. This prior art publication does not disclose or teach the design, configuration and structure of the merchandise display assembly of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,060,214 to METCALF discloses a merchandise display stand for use as a countertop stand for displaying merchandise, in which a tubular support pole is held in an operationally upright position by a ground engaging base or pedestal and mounts at least one support member from which merchandise display racks or baskets are suspended outwardly about the support pole. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the design, configuration and structure of the merchandise display assembly of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,634 to TINTARY discloses a rotary display stand for use as a merchandise display stand which is intended to serve both as a means for displaying merchandise and as a device for maintaining a relatively large stock of said merchandise in immediate proximity and accessibility to the display thereof. The display stand is adapted to display and stock various types of small articles of hardware. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the design, configuration and structure of the merchandise display assembly of the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,678,253 to ROSENBERG discloses a rotary bin having an upright central shaft and a series of bin sections mounted at different levels on the shaft, each with capacity for rotation relative to the shaft and independently of the others. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the design, configuration and structure of the merchandise display assembly of the present invention.

None of the aforementioned prior art references disclose or teach a merchandise display assembly having a display container detachably mounted on a vertical crossbar base assembly and wherein the vertical crossbar base assembly is detachably mounted onto hangrail members of a display rack.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a merchandise display assembly having a display container with a plurality of individual display compartments therein for displaying products, hardware, clothing, hats, gifts, toys, cosmetics and the like above a conventional rectangular-shaped hanging rack, and a vertical crossbar base assembly for detachably mounting onto hangrail members of the rectangular-shaped hanging rack for securely supporting thereon the display container having products therein. Another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise display assembly having a vertical crossbar base assembly that includes first and second vertical crossbar members being disposed in a perpendicular configuration to each other such that the vertical crossbar base assembly is detachably mountable onto hangrail members of the display rack.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise display assembly where the base member of the display container engages and is held in place by locking tabs on the first vertical crossbar member of the vertical crossbar base assembly, such that the display container is detachably mounted on the first locking tabs and mounting surfaces of the first and second vertical crossbars, respectively.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise display assembly that is easy to assemble and to mount, and easy to clean and maintain when in operational use at a retail or department store.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise display assembly having no moving parts that is easy to use and is durable and easily cleaned for repeated use by the merchandiser.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a merchandise display assembly that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the merchandiser.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a merchandise display having a vertical crossbar base assembly and a display container mounted thereon for displaying products above a conventional display rack, wherein the vertical crossbar base assembly is for mounting onto hangrail members of the display rack. The merchandise display assembly includes a display container having a plurality of display compartments for displaying product merchandise in the display compartments; and includes a vertical crossbar base assembly having a first vertical crossbar member and a second vertical crossbar member being disposed perpendicular to each other. The first vertical crossbar member includes a first rack receiving notch formed in a first lower section of the first vertical outer surface and a second rack-receiving notch formed in a second lower section of the second vertical outer surface; and the second vertical crossbar member includes a first rack-receiving notch formed in a first lower section of the first vertical outer surface and a second rack-receiving notch formed in a second lower section of the second vertical outer surface. The first vertical crossbar member includes a lower receiving notch being centrally positioned, and the second vertical crossbar member includes an upper receiving notch being centrally positioned. The lower receiving notch and the upper receiving notch of the first and second vertical crossbar members are disposed for an interlocking engagement with each other. The first and second rack-receiving notches of the first and second vertical crossbar members are for engaging and receiving therein the hangrail members of the display rack for mounting the vertical crossbar base assembly thereon; and the first and second upper surfaces of the first and second vertical crossbar members, respectively, are for receiving the display container thereon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the presently-preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the merchandise display assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a display container having a header card, and the vertical crossbar base assembly having a first vertical crossbar member and a second vertical crossbar member that are perpendicular to each other in the same horizontal plane;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the merchandise display assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a vertical crossbar base assembly having a first vertical crossbar member and a second vertical crossbar member in an assembled state;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the merchandise display assembly of the present invention showing the first vertical crossbar member having a lower notch being mounted to the second vertical crossbar member having an upper notch;

FIG. 4 is an perspective view of the merchandise display assembly of the present invention showing the display container having a plurality of individual display compartments;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the of the merchandise display assembly of the present invention showing the base wall having a pair of opposing locking tab openings therethrough;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the merchandise display assembly of the present invention showing a display container with a plurality of individual display headers and a plurality of individual display compartments;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the merchandise display assembly of the present invention showing the display container having hats within each of its display compartments being mounted to the upper crossbar base surfaces of the vertical crossbar base assembly;

FIG. 8 is a an exploded perspective view of the merchandise display assembly of the present invention showing the display container and the vertical crossbar base assembly being mounted to the hangrail members of the hanging rack;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the merchandise display assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a display container on a vertical crossbar base assembly mounting onto hangrail members of a clothing rack being in an assembled state and in a fully operational mode; and

FIG. 9A is an enlarged perspective view of the merchandise display assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing one of the rack-receiving notches positioned on one of the hangrail members of the hanging rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 10

The merchandise display assembly 10 and its component parts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 9 and 9A of the patent drawing. The merchandise display assembly 10 is used for the displaying of products 12, hardware, clothing, hats, gifts, toys, cosmetics and the like for merchandising to consumers, such that the merchandise display assembly 10 is detachably mounted on an upper hangrail 14 of the conventional square-shaped hanging rack 16, as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9 of the drawings.

The merchandise display assembly 10 includes a detachable display container 20 mounted on a vertical crossbar member base assembly 40. The display container 20 includes a display housing 22 being substantially rectangular in shape. The display housing 22 includes a base member 24 having side walls 26 a, 26 b, 26 c and 26 d for forming an interior compartment 28. The interior compartment 28 includes a plurality of individual display compartments 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, and 30 d having middle walls 32 and 33 for separating display compartments 30 a to 30 d. Middle walls 32 and 33 can be replaced by header wall cards 34 and 35 having indicia 36 thereon for also separating display compartments 30 a to 30 d. Additionally, display compartments 30 a to 30 d also include side wall openings 38 a, 38 b, 38 c and 38 d for placing or removing product 12 within display compartments 30 a to 30 d, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 of the drawings. The base member 24 includes a pair of opposing tab receiving openings 25 a and 25 b. The display container 20 can include other geometric shapes, such as a square, a circle or an oval depending upon the size and shape of the clothing rack 16. Also, rack 16 may be of various shapes, such as circular, oval, square or rectangular. Further, the merchandise display assembly 10, and its component parts, including display container 20 and the vertical crossbar member base assembly 40 may be made from construction materials selected from the group consisting of wood, cardboard, plastic, lightweight metals (such as aluminum) and combinations thereof.

The vertical crossbar base assembly 40, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, includes a first vertical crossbar member 42 and a second vertical crossbar 62. The first vertical crossbar member 42 includes a first lower receiving notch 43 being centrally positioned and the second vertical crossbar member 62 includes a first upper receiving notch 63 being centrally position, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. The first vertical crossbar member 42 and second vertical member crossbar 62 are joined together by receiving notches 43 and 63, respectively, and connected at a center midpoint C_(MP), such that each of the crossbars are disposed in a perpendicular configuration P to each other. Each of the first and second vertical crossbar member 42 and 62 are joined and connected at the center midpoint C_(MP) for forming first and second section surfaces 44 and 64, respectively, by joint receiving notches 43 and 63, respectively. The first vertical crossbar member 42 includes a first sectional surface 44, having a first outer section 46 and a second outer section 48. Additionally, the first and second outer sections 46 and 48 of the first vertical crossbar member 42 include upper locking tab members 47 and 49, respectively. The upper locking tab members 47 and 49 are received within the tab receiving openings 25 a and 25 b, respectively, of the base member 24 of display housing 22, as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 6 of the drawings, for holding the base member 24 of display container 20 on the first and second sectional surfaces 44 and 64, respectively, of first and second vertical crossbar members 42 and 62 (see FIG. 6). The first vertical crossbar member 42 includes a first receiving notch 50 formed in a first bottom section 52 of the first outer section 46 and a second receiving notch 54 formed in a second bottom section 56 of the second outer section 48. The second vertical crossbar member 62 includes a first rack receiving notch 70 formed in a first bottom section 72 of the first outer section 66 and a second rack receiving notch 74 formed in a second bottom section 76 of the second outer section 68.

Further, the first midsection surface 44 of the first vertical crossbar member 42 includes a first receiving surface S_(R1) for receiving the display container 20 thereon (the length L of display container 20), and the first midsection surface 66 of the second vertical crossbar member 62 includes a second receiving surface S_(R2) for receiving the display container 20 thereon (the width W of display container 20). The first notches 50 and 70, and second notches 54 and 74 of the first and second vertical crossbar member 42 and 62, respectively, are for engaging and receiving within the notches 50, 70, 54 and 74 of hangrail members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d, respectively, of clothing rack 16 for mounting the vertical crossbar base assembly 40 and the detachable display container 20 thereon, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and 9A of the drawings.

It is understood that the first and second vertical crossbar 42 and 62 of the vertical crossbar member base assembly 40 can be made of various members types of materials such as wood, cardboard, lightweight plastics, lightweight metals (aluminum) or combinations thereof.

The physical dimensions of the display container are as follows: The width W is 18 inches, the length L is 18 inches and the height is 6 inches. Each of the individual product display compartments 30 a to 30 d have a width and length of 8½ inches and a depth of 6 inches. Each of the divider walls 32 to 33 have a thickness of one half inch. Middle divider walls 32 and 33 have a height of 6 inches and, a width and length of 8½ inches. The header wall cards 34 and 35 have a height of 12 inches, a width and length of 8½ inches and a wall thickness of one half inch.

Each of the first and second vertical crossbar members 42 and 62 have a height (H) of 14 inches, and length (L) of 14 inches and a width (W) of 3 inches. Each of the locking tab members 47 and 49 have a height of 2 inches, a length of 1 inch and a width of 3 inches. Each of the vertical outer surfaces 46, 48, 66 and 68 have a surface area S₁ of (H) 14 inches by (W) 3 inches for 42 square inches. The first upper surface 44 has a surface area S₂ of (L) 12 inches by (W) 3 inches for 36 square inches. The second upper surface 64 has a surface area S₃ of (L) 5½ inches by (W) 3 inches times two for 33 square inches. Each of the rack-receiving notches 50, 54, 70 and 74 have a height of 2 inches and a width of 1 inch. The lower receiving notch 43 of the first vertical crossbar member 42 has a height of 7 inches and a width of 3 inches and the upper receiving notch 63 of the second vertical crossbar member 62 has a height of 7 inch, a width of 3 inches a depth of 3 inches.

OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the merchandise display assembly 10 operates in the following manner: The user initially opens a container box (not shown) and removes the display container 20 and the crossbar base assembly 40, in order for the user to assemble the individual display container 20 and the vertical crossbar member base assembly 40. Next, the user assembles the plurality of display compartments 30 a to 30 f using divider walls 38 a to 38 d within the interior compartment 28 of display housing 22, using either middle wall 32 or header card wall 34 having indicia 36 thereon. The user then assembles each of the first and second vertical crossbar members 42 and 62, such that the first and second vertical crossbar member are joined and mated together by joining the central positioned upper and lower receiving notches 43 and 63 at a center midpoint C_(P), where each of the vertical crossbar members 42 and 62 are disposed in a perpendicular configuration P to each other. Also, each of the first and second vertical crossbar members 42 and 62 are joined and mated together at the center point C_(P) of lower and upper receiving notches 43 and 63, respectively. The user then places the display container 20 onto of the crossbar base assembly 40 such that each of the upper locking tab members 47 and 49 of the first and second vertical crossbar member 42 and 62 engage and received within tab receiving openings 25 a and 25 b, respectively of base member 24 of display housing 22 for allowing the display container 20 to be held in place. Then, the user places the rack-receiving notches 50, 70, 54 and 74 of vertical crossbar members 42 and 62 onto the hangrail members 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and 14 d, respectively, of clothing rack 16, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 8 and 9 and 9A of the patent drawings. In the last step, the user places the product, such as hats 12, within each of the individual product display compartments 30 a to 30 d, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, so the merchandise display assembly 10 is in full operational use.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a merchandise display assembly having a display container with a plurality of individual display compartments therein for displaying products, hardware, clothing, hats, gifts, toys, cosmetics and the like above a conventional square-shaped hanging rack, and a vertical crossbar member base assembly for detachably mounting onto the hangrail members of the hanging rack for securely supporting thereon the display container having products therein.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a merchandise display assembly having a vertical crossbar base assembly that includes first and second vertical crossbar member being disposed in a perpendicular configuration to each other in the same horizontal plane, such that the vertical crossbar member base assembly is detachably mountable onto the hangrail members of a display rack.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a merchandise display assembly where the base member of the display container engages and is held in place by locking tabs on the first vertical crossbar member of the vertical crossbar member base assembly, such that the display container is detachably mounted on the first locking tabs and mounting surfaces of the first and second vertical crossbar members, respectively.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a merchandise display assembly that is easy to assemble and to mount, and easy to clean and maintain when in operational use at a retail or department store.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a merchandise display assembly having no moving parts that is easy to use and is durable and easily cleaned for repeated use by the merchandiser.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a merchandise display assembly that can be mass-produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the merchandiser.

A latitude of modification, change and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein. 

1. A merchandise display assembly having a vertical crossbar base assembly and a display container mounted thereon for displaying products above a conventional display rack, wherein said vertical crossbar base assembly is for mounting onto the support members of the display rack, comprising: a) a display container having a plurality of display compartments for displaying product merchandise in said display compartments; b) a vertical crossbar base assembly including a first vertical crossbar member and a second vertical crossbar member being disposed perpendicular to each other; c) said first vertical crossbar member including a first upper surface, a first vertical outer surface and a second vertical outer surface; d) said second vertical crossbar member including a second upper surface, a first vertical outer surface and a second vertical outer surface; e) said first vertical crossbar member including a first rack-receiving notch formed in a first lower section of said first vertical outer surface and a second rack-receiving notch formed in a second lower section of said second vertical outer surface; f) said second vertical crossbar member including a first rack-receiving notch formed in a first lower section of said first vertical outer surface and a second rack-receiving notch formed in a second lower section of said second vertical outer surface; g) said first vertical crossbar member including a lower receiving notch being centrally positioned, and said second vertical crossbar member including an upper receiving notch being centrally positioned; h) said lower receiving notch and said upper receiving notch of said first and second vertical crossbar members being disposed for interlocking engagement with each other; i) said first and second rack-receiving notches of said first and second vertical crossbar members for engaging and receiving therein the upper member of the display rack for mounting said vertical crossbar base assembly thereon; and j) said first and second upper surfaces of said first and second vertical crossbar members, respectively, for receiving said display container thereon.
 2. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said display container includes a display housing having a base member.
 3. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 2, wherein said base member includes a pair of opposing tab-receiving locking openings.
 4. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first vertical crossbar member includes a pair of opposing upper locking tab members being adjacent to said first and second vertical outer surfaces of said first vertical crossbar member, respectively.
 5. A merchandise display assembly in accordance with claim 4, wherein each of said upper locking tab members of said first vertical crossbar members are received within each of said opposing tab-receiving locking openings of said base member of said display housing for mounting said display container onto said vertical crossbar base assembly. 